Wheel



Dec. 18, 1934. A, NELSON 1,9s5,o54

WHEEL Filed Jan. 21, 1951 sheets-sheet 1 l Q t INVENTOR `Emz H. /Veld Dec. 18, 1934. y E. A, NELSON 1,985,054

WHEEL Filed Jan; 2l, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,.`1/ INVENTOR Eval H /VeZQr/t Dec. 18, 1934. E. A, NELSON n 1,985,054

WHEEL -Fikled Jan. 2l, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 v I '-MlNvENTovR E 'l' v. 'Zm'z' -H Nelson TORNEY S.

Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES www PATENT v,orricrr My invention relates to Wheels and particularly to Wheels having interchangeable rims of the demountable type. In my Patent Number 1,744,915, which was v lgranted to me on January 28, 1930, I disclosed 'a wheel comprising afhub and a plurality of associated spokes-to which one or a plurality of N rims are attachable directly to the `ends of the spokes. fore conventionally employed, was eliminated from the Wheel structure and a single rim, a plurality of rims or rims of different diameters .were capable of being attached to the spokes when a predetermined set of a variety of attaching brackets were utilized. i

My present invention is an improvement on the structure above patented, having for an object the provision of a Wheel which is lighter in weight, simpler in construction, cheaper in manufacturing cost and which embodies features for increasing the ease with which one or a plurality of rims maybe mounted on or demounted from thewheel. I

Another object of` my invention is to utilize themOunting stud for supporting a rim on a wheel of the above described type, for the additional purpose of retaining a brake ldrum on the wheel to thereby permit a drum of maximum diameter to be employed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a plurality of sets of brackets-for attaching rims to a wheel, either of which sets may be utilized to retain one or a plurality of rims on the Wheel with the center line of the one or the plurality of rims `conforming to the plane of jsupport through the wheel. f v.

, Astill further object of my invention is to provide awheel ofthe above mentioned'type with a plurality of brackets whichshall be so co-ordinated with the wheel as to chord the rim when, assembled thereon by the brackets.

' A ystill further objectv of my invention is to provide a wheel with a bracket of the above mentioned type which is placed under an initial tension when supported on the rim to' strengthen the rim and to assist in preventingits deformation in service. i

Numerous other objects and features of novelty of my invention will be either specifically pointed out or will become apparent when referri-ng, -for a better understanding of myinven- In this construction `the felloe, hereto- Fig. 2 is an enlargedbroken viewA ofthe structure shown in Fig. 1 taken along the line 2-2 thereof, f

Fig. -3 `is a ,broken view, in section,` of the structure shown in Fig. 1` taken along the line .5

3-3' thereof, I v

Fig. 4 is a broken view of a section of the rim 4and the supporting bracket shown in Fig. i2, j

Fig. 5 is a perspective view. ofthe bracket shown in Figs. 2 and 4, f

Fig. 6 is a broken sectional view of a wheel structure showing a modified form of my invention, l f

- Fig. 'l is a perspective :View ofy the bracket shown in Fig. 6, i f

Fig. 8 is a broken sectional view, similar to the structure shown in Fig. 2 with the exception that two rims are supported on `the wheel,

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the bracket shown in Fig. 8, l

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of a Wheel embodying a further vmodified form off my invention, f' l Fig. 11 is an enlarged broken'view, in section, of the structure shown in'Fig.10 taken along the line 11-11 thereof, and

Fig. 12 `is a broken View in elevation, of a rim and bracket mounted on a wheel.

My invention comprises in general a hub 13 having a disc portion'14 of conical shape preferably forming an integral part of the hub as shown. Relatively short-'projectionsl are provided on the outer. periphery of the/disc portion 14 and constitute spoke-likev members for the Wheel. A rim 16fis attachable directly to the end of the projections 15 by various methods which will be ldescribed hereinafter.'

The wheel proper, constructed as a unit, is cast without" the necessityV of utilizing baked cores, conventionally employed, andy a simple, inexpensive greencore is all that is'required: for providing a central hole in the hub. By having the conical shaped disc portion extendover sub-.- stantially .two-thirds of the radius of the wheel, and by having short projections mounted on its periphery in the nature of spokes, considerable resistance is offered by the wheel both against tensional strains and lateral bending stresses: The construction embodies the desirable features of the disc wheel which includes-thatof providing maximum strength per unit Weight and also the desirablebrake-cooling features which obtain in the spoke type of wheel.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 phare shown the hub lathe 'disc .14 andthe projections 15 as comprising a unit member which is cast from steel or other metals in a well known manner. The rim Y16, which; is mountable thereon, is provided with a webl portion 17 having an upstanding flange 18 on one of its ends and a locking channel 19 on its opposite end. The cross-sectional area of the rim in the vicinity of the channel is thicker than the other portion of the rim forrthe purpose of receiving 'the mounting means for the rim by means 4'of vwhich it kis attached to the wheel. A split locking ring 20 of conventional form is shown associated with the channel 19 which is forced into locking engagement therewith when a tire is mounted on the rim and inflated. Y

In Fig. 1 have disclosed a bracket r21'n'1hich is attachable to the rim .16 .and 1to the projections 15 for the purpose of s'upporting'the rim on the wheel. metal member having radially outwardlyprojecting fingers 22 and an `oppositely or radially inwardly 'projecting flug 23., having -an aperture 24 therein. Apertures 25 are provided- 'in Vthe main body portion `of `the bracket '21 vand are 'utilized for the purpose of attaching the bracket to the rim by means of bolts 26 -as shown in Figs. v2 and i12.

In Fig. I ha've disclosed'lth'e bracket 22.1 posi'- ti'on'e'd adjacent to 'the frim 16 before being `attached in fixed relation thereto with the fingers 22 abutting against the web `17 yof the rim. It will 'be noted that the body .portion 'of the bracket is spaced from the supporting portion l'ofthe rim, and when drawn tightly thereagainst by the bolts 26, the fingers 22 will be draai/'n .iirmily against the under iside `'of vthe web 17 and will be sprung to effect .fa bias to the -ngers which strengthen the .central .portion of the rim against the distorting eifects of :loads carried thereby due to the initial tension loading Aof the 'ngers The base of the projections '1:5 are provided with lug seats 28 which are directly associated with sloping or 'cam 'surfaces 29. When the lugs 23 are `drawn against the projections A15 'the vbottom edges thereof engage the sloping surfaces 29 which 'caiuses the brackets 21 and the rim to be forced outwardly from the hub in :thevicinity of the projections 15 `until the lugs 23 rest in the lugse'ats 28. By this construction the rim 16 is slightly corded between the projections 15 and thereby effects a bias downwardly in the vicinity of the projections for assisting the brackets 21 in retaining the rim in yiirm engagement with the Wheelv and for eliminating, to a great extent, the tendency 'of the load `on the `wheel to lift 'the rim from the projections when the load is exerted midway between the projections vand 'the 'consequent tendency to loosen the retaining bolts. i

The .inner 'surface y'of the disc portion 14, as shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a iiange 31 which 'is encompassed by a brake drum 32 supported Sagainst the inner surface -of `the projections by means fof `studs 33 which engage lugs 34 fon the ldrum and draw the drum tightly against the inner surface of the projections. This construction provides .a maximum diameter tothe 'inner surface of the brake drum and at the Isame time permits the axially outer stem ofthe stud 33 to be utilized yas a means for retaining the brackets 21 ion the front vsurface of the projections through the medium of lock washers 35 'and nuts 36.

Itfis=to?belunderstood that, when means other The bracket 21 is `a stampedy than the studs 33 are employed for attaching the brake drum to the wheel, bolts may be substituted for the lock washers 35 and nuts 36 for retaining the brackets 21 on the front surface of the projections. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 6 wherein the brake drum is supported by means of a flanged annular member 37 which is riveted or otherwise attached to a flange 38 provided on the periphery of the disc 14. This, and similar methods fof l'i'n'ounting a brake drum on a'disc or other drum supporting members are disclosed in my Patent No. Y1,750,682 which was granted to me on March 18, l1930. In this arrangement bolts 39 attach the brackets 2l to the projections 15.

vIn Fig. f8 Ihave shown a wheel similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2r lwith the exception that a second rim is attached tothe wheel proper by means of 'brackets 41 which are substituted for the brackets 21 in Fig, 2. The bracket 41 is more clearly Ishown in Fig. "9 as 'including vupturned iianges '42 a't-eachfof its 'ends whicnibear the same relation to, and lei-fett 'the strengthening of the web 17 Yof 'the rim `16, as the fingers '-22 of bracket '21 heretofore referred to.

The flanges are drawn tightly against -feach of the vrims by means of bolts-26 extending vthrough .apertures 43 .provided in Vthe body por- The brackets and the tion bf the brackets. rims are then mounted on the `projections 15 lby 4means of downwardly Vextending :lugs -`44 having apertures 45 therein. The lugs 44 on the brackets 41 function in the vsame manner as the lugs 22 on the brackets 121, `for chording and retaining the rims on the wheel.' u

In comparing the brackets `21 and 41 in rFigs. 5 and -9 respectively it will be noted that the lug 23 on the :bracket 121 is provided between the apertures 25Uan'd the fingers l22 while in the lbrackets 41 the apertures `43 iare provided b'etween -the iingers Ior 4iianges 42 and the lug44.

Referring to rFig's. Y2 and 8 it will be noted that by mounting a single rim, bymea-ns of 4the brackets V21 having the apertures 25 provided outwardly of the supporting lugs 23, the center l-ine of the rim is cut by a plane through the conical disc 14 and 'the disc supports the weight through the wheel uniformly throughout its area and thereby eliminates vlocal stressing which would tend 'to deform the disc.

When two rims are zmountedon the-brackets 41, it will vbe noted that the lugs 444 thereof are positioned between the apertures 43, and the center 1line Abetween the two rims cuts the rhub at *the base of the Asupporting vdisc 14. j This arrangement likewise 'prevents the vlo'cal'istressing of the Adisc 1-4 and retains 'the disc vinprigid position Aat 'all times and prevents the distortion 'or deforming of the brake drum. `In either arrangement air passes freely between the outer periphery of the disc 14 yand the inner periphery of the rim 16 between the projections .15 and assists .in preventing the overheating of the drum Vas pointed out in the foregoing patents.

It will be noted from Figs. 2 and 8 thatpsimilar rims maybe employed on the front and rearl wheels and be supported thereon by the brackets 21 or that brackets 41 may be substituted for brackets 21 and a pair of like rims mounted together in fixed predetermined relation and both rims supported on the rear wheel by the lugs 44 'of the brackets. The method of `'form-- ing the stem of the inner tube of the tire, to permit the rim to be mounted in vjuxtaposition to thebrake drum is clearly illustrated and described in the aforementioned patentsl The bolts 26 employed to retain the brackets 21 and 41 on the inner periphery of the rim 16, are illustrated in Fig. 12 as being provided with a head 46 having a flange 47 on its inner edge. The flange 47 engages the arcuate surface of the brackets 21 and 41 and is thereby distorted as the bolts 26 are screwed into the rim 16 to retain the brackets thereon. The distortion of the flange at its outer edge, due to the arcuate shape of the bracket, provides a bias to the flange which firmly retains it in engagement with the bracket and prevents the bolts 26 from working loose in service. The flange and the arcuate surface effect a locking engagement which eliminates the lock washers or like locking elements conventionally employed.

Referring again to Fig.A 6 the wheel shown therein is constructed for a vehicle of considerably less capacity than that for which the Wheel shown in Figs. 2 and 8 is provided. As less braking surface will be required for the lighter vehicle the brake drum may be mounted as above described and shown in Fig. 6 and be of considerably less diameter than that of the brake drums illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8.

The fingers or flanges 42 on the brackets 41 have been omitted from brackets 48 which are employed in place of the bracket 41 for securing the two rims together and on the wheel. The bracket 48 is shown more clearly in Fig. 'l to be similar to the bracket 41 shown in Fig. 9 with the exception that the radially outwardly turned flanges 42 are omitted therefrom. It is to be understood that a bracket (not shown) similar to brackets 22 may be employed for mounting a single rim on the wheel and that the fingers 22 may be omitted therefrom. In either arrangement the added strength provided by the fingers or flanges is not required because of the narrower construction of the rim and the re-v duction in load to which the rim is subjected.

In Figs. 10 and 11 I have shown a somewhat modiiled form of the structure shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 8 in which the brake drum is provided with a rib on its outer periphery which is engaged by a flange 53 at the inner base of the projections for retaining the brake drum against movement in the plane of the wheel. 'Ihe two flanges are provided with semi-circular recesses which when aligned provide circularv apertures through which bolts 55 extend and retain the flange in fixed position against the base of the projections 15.

Bolts 39 above described, may be provided in threaded holes in the projections 15 or shouldered studs 56 may be substituted therefor as shown in Fig. 11 which are retained on the projections by nuts 57. The axially outer portions of the studs are threaded and are employed to retain the brackets Yon the projections 15 in a manner similar to that above mentioned with reference to the structure shown in Figs. 2 and 8.

In any of the above noted constructions the clamping of the brake drum on the periphery of the disc 14 or on the projections 15 adds considerable strength to the wheel assembly and aids in preventing its lateral distortion.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a wheel construction which includes interchangeable rims and two complete sets of mounting brackets One or two of the rims may be mounted on the brackets and then attached to the wheel by bolts or studs which are positioned in a plane normal to the wheel. In this construction the retaining bolts or nuts are easily accessible to the vehicle operator and no more effort is required for jremoving or mounting two rims than is required for mounting a single rim, except for the additional weight of the second rim. vBy employing the rim-mounting studs for `supporting a brake drum on the wheel the brake drum will be of maximum diameter and provide a maximum braking area.

While I have described and illustrated several embodiments of my invention it will be apparent to anyone skilled in the art that many changes, omissions, additions and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a wheel body, a rim supporting sheet metal bracket adapted to be removably mounted on the outer periphery of the body, said bracket having a bent over supporting projection stamped from the bracket and generally directed in a plane transversely thereof.

2. In combination, a wheel body, a rim supporting sheet metal bracket adapted to be mounted on the outer periphery of the body,

a rim having a cylindrical base portion and a rib, said bracket having a seat for supporting the rib on the rim, and a bent over supporting projection formed on the bracket and directed radially and outwardly into engagement with the base portion of the rim.

3. In combination, a wheel body, a removable rim having a base portion, brackets for mounting the rim on the wheel body, seats on the brackets for supporting the rim solely on the brackets, resilient fingers on the brackets for engaging the base portion of the rim, and means for holding the rim on .the bracket and the fingers in resilient engagement with the base portion of the rim.

y4. In combination, a wheel body, inboard and outboard rims adapted to be mounted on the body, and a bracket for supporting the rims on the body, said bracket having 4radially outwardly turned resilient fingers at its ends, and a radially inwardly turned lug therebetween, means for holding the rims on the bracket, with the ends resiliently' urged into engagement with such rims by meansof their resiliency, and means securing the inturned lugs 4to the wheel body.

5. In combination, 'a wheel body, inboard and 60 

